Technology to Encourage Stability in Volatile East African Regions

Most people are familiar with how information can be used to promote conflict. Media control and propaganda can spread misinformation, fear, and violence. Purposeful jamming or outright destruction of communications lines during attacks can prolong the length and severity of conflict. But can information and technology be used to promote peace instead? In East Africa, USAID programs are doing just that.

Recipients test high frequency radios in East Africa. The USAID-funded radios allow information to be transmitted quickly to the local authorities and those involved in conflict mitigation. Photo credit: CEWARN.

In 2009, more than 300 people died and tens of thousands more were displaced as conflicts flared across the Ethiopian/Kenyan border. The clashes involved pastoral communities who fought over livestock, land, and water rights. These types of conflicts undermine progress in health, economic growth, and governance; create conditions favorable for extremism and terrorism; and at times require costly humanitarian assistance. (See a map of cross-border conflicts in Africa, PDF, 1.5MB.)

In partnership with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)’s Conflict Early Warning and Response Mechanism, USAID is implementing an Information and Communications Technologies for Peace program in the region with a focus on the pastoral border areas of Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda.

Most recently, USAID provided high-frequency radios to representatives of two communities living on the Ethiopian/Kenyan border in Jinka Town, southern Ethiopia. These radios allow community members to rapidly report infractions—such as the theft of livestock—that might otherwise escalate into retaliation and violence. And because technology alone is not enough, USAID also provided a two-day radio training workshop with provincial officials and peace monitors.

A typical scenario occurred in Uganda recently when Jie warriors from the Kotido District raided 40 head of cattle from Matheniko communities in the Moroto District. The owners of the livestock informed the local chief, who contacted the radio operator, who quickly reached the local authorities. As a result, all the stolen cattle were successfully recovered without injuries or deaths. Peace monitors are now reporting many other cases where conflicts have been mitigated or prevented through improved communications.

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One of the most important forces driving economic performance in the United States and other countries during the 1990s was the rise of information technology. The new technology has had such a significant impact on the economy that “the new economy” emerged as a popular term in both the media and academia. Ethiopia, being an emerging economy have yet to explore the full potential of having advanced information technology infrastructure, that would bring the economy up-to speed. Of course, that’s not to say the challenges to the growth of information technology in Ethiopia.

Challenges to the Growth of Information Technology in Ethiopia .Full adaptation of the technology has been difficult due to:
– Lack of national guidelines and consistent information and communication policy
– Lack of academic institutions that act as sources of well-grounded study in information technology
– Non-existent computer literacy in primary and secondary education
– Shortage of skilled human resources and computing infrastructure colleges and universities
-Shortage of programmers in custom and new systems development
– Poor quality of internet services
-A restrictive information seeking culture
-Limited access to software and training materials
-Diverse local languages, scripts and dialects in Ethiopia – user friendly interface in the local languages for on-line connectivity is needed in promoting information sharing and developing a successful national network in Ethiopia
-The Role of International Organizations and Development Aid Agencies

The international organizations and aid agencies have played a significant role in information technology diffusion in the country. Their existence has helped create opportunities for demonstrations of key information technology, transfer of ideas, sponsoring structural development projects and a potential market segment for emerging small and medium enterprises in the field.

Potential Benefits of Information Technology in Ethiopia:

• Efficient communications for manufacturing, service and tourism sector
• Fast response to natural disasters and effective rural health and family planning services
• Effective governance and administrative effectiveness
• Efficient education, research and communication of research results
• Access to global market and research information
• Employment opportunities for small and medium enterprises
• Effective and enhanced data and information gathering and distribution for better planning
• Enhanced national cohesion and integration of heterogeneous social composition or geographical dispersal.